Mannequin Pussy has built their reputation on a defiant roar, a visceral embodiment of punk rage. However, on their album I Got Heaven, a track titled "Softly" reveals a different side – a moment of raw vulnerability that aches with a yearning for tenderness. This isn't a surrender, but an exposed nerve amidst the fight.
Mannequin Pussy Softly Review
The song begins in a deceptive hush. Synth notes drift like unanswered questions while Marisa Dabice's vocals enter, almost whispered. There's a plea within the lyrics, a desire to break the cycle of pain: "Tell me softly, That you, You wanna know me" But this moment of quiet doesn't last. The frustration simmers, the need to fight still burning. Guitars begin to layer in, rising alongside the vocals as Dabice cries, "And you plead, and you say"But I got what you need in me!I got what you yearn for desperately!"?" before closing off the song questioning what happens that isn't what they want anymore. "What if one day I don't want this anymore?"
Brutally Honest Softly Is a Cathartic Listen
Here's the crux of the song: the conflict between the desire for peace and the constant demand to put up your fists. It's a battleground familiar to many, and the tension explodes as the song reaches its cathartic peak. Mannequin Pussy doesn't offer easy answers, but the honesty is gut-wrenching in its beauty.
"Softly" is more than a quiet break on I Got Heaven; it's a testament to the complexity of emotion, and Mannequin Pussy's undeniable ability to capture it through their music.
Listen to Softly By Mannequin Pussy
Mannequin Pussy Softly Lyrics Meaning
The meaning of "Softly" by Mannequin Pussy is a complex exploration of vulnerability within the context of defiant strength. The song reveals a longing for tenderness and connection amidst the band's typical punk rage, exposing a raw and aching nerve.
This internal conflict emerges through lyrics focused on hesitant desire and the fear of fully committing. The speaker feels drawn to the other person's promises of love and fulfillment, yet worries about the potential pain if those feelings change. The repeated question, "What if one day I don't want this anymore?" highlights a fear of abandonment or a lack of control within the dynamics of the relationship.
The plea of "I got what you need in me!" suggests a struggle with power and self-preservation. This dynamic could indicate a new relationship with initial excitement but unresolved insecurities, or it could represent an unhealthy attachment where the speaker struggles against the other person's emotional manipulation.
Ultimately, "Softly" captures the complexities of conflicting desires. The song portrays a battle between the need for love and the instinct to protect oneself from potential hurt. It's a raw and vulnerable moment amidst Mannequin Pussy's signature intensity, showcasing their ability to express emotional depth.
Mannequin Pussy Softly Lyrics
Tell me softly
That you
You wanna know me
Daylight, it brings
Revelations 'bout your hands, your lips, your heart
And you plead, and you say
"But I got what you need in me!
I got what you yearn for desperately!"
You say, "Come here"
Promise me devotion
Never-ending love
I yearn to give you what you want
But know that I will not
So you plead, and you say
"But I got what you need in me!
I got what you yearn for desperately!
I got what you need in me!
Mmm, I got it!"
What if one day I don't want this anymore?
What if one day I don't want you anymore?
What if one day I don't love you anymore?
And you plead, and you say
And you plead, and you say
And you plead, and you say
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